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Arazi Crossing #1
Evolution
The Royals are dying and Evil is poised to conquer the Earth. The time has come; evolutions are in order. Five teens from five different continents receive the same gift at the same time. Each gift giver is a special person in their lives, who will later reveal they are actually their Luminares… their guardians, sent by the Royals of Arazi Crossing to watch over them. Traveling magically across time, the teens are brought together and their destiny unfolds. As their journey begins, each one has a quest to fulfill in order to become a full-blood Ace. If they succeed, they will take the place of the existing Royals who are dying quickly. As the teens travel back in time to complete each quest, they must also come to terms with the sacrifices they have to make in order to become a Royal, an Ace, a sorcerer for Good; watching over and protecting all of humankind. Can they make the ultimate sacrifice and leave their families forever to join the fight in Good vs. Evil? Can each go back in time and complete their life-altering quest before the Royals expire? Quinn, April, Maya, Juina and Janus will have to work together to complete their quests to evolve into the next Royals of Arazi Crossing.
450 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2012
12 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Hockley
8 books3 followersFav past-times are writing, reading, landscape photography, enjoying our cat, Juliette, family time, painting wall murals.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 21, 2012
I have had the privilege to be able to read a very good friend of mine Carolyn Hockley's new book. I was already excited before she asked to me to read it as she was describing it to me, now fantasy YA is not a usual genre for me to read but from her description I already had a deep desire to read it. So I agreed with the condition it might take me a bit as I had a couple other books to review first, with that said I laid the book down and started reading one of the others I had to get done. Now I have the nasty little habit of smoking and the only place I'm allowed to smoke is in the back room lol, so when I went out to have a break I would read a page or two of Carolyn's book and come back in, I'd sit down go back to what I was doing and my mind started to stray thinking of her book, so I'd go again and read another page or two. Finally when I figured I just couldn't smoke anymore I decided to bring the book in and read the whole thing because really the book grabbed me right from the first chapter and wouldn't let go, I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, almost like it was calling me to pick it up again.
So once I brought the book into the house I was able to get comfortable and submerge myself into this wonderful book. The story draws you right in from the first chapter and holds you there and doesn't let go until the very last page, and the cliffhanger at the end will surely leave you saying WTH really that's it, and the feeling you just can't wait for the second in the series. I absolutely love the cast of characters Carolyn has created, each of the teens I fell totally in love with, please don't ask me to pick a favorite because I just can't I love them all, they each have a quality you just can't help liking each of them, The Royals from Arazi Crossing are so sweet but I was sad knowing they are dying off one by one, another cast of characters you will fall in love with, but then there are the teens luminaries, their trainers, the ones who have been watching over them all their lives until it was time to reveal to them their true calling and purpose. Each teens luminaries fit perfectly with them.
I enjoyed how Carolyn gives us a background story on each teen and we get to travel the world to where they live and their families and what is special about each of them. Carolyn's description of their surroundings, families, friends, and what part of the world they are from makes you feel like your right there with them, her details of them traveling to Arazi Crossing and once there in that world, it's like I was there I could see what she was describing, and once Quinn started his quest I felt I was on that quest with all of them.
This was one incredible book from beginning to end, the plot was well planned out, the story was well executed, the characters all of them fit perfectly. I have another author and good friend of mine Patti Roberts you probably remember her books Paradox-The Angels are Here, and when I started reading Carolyn's book it reminded me of Patti's books and the way she brought us into a world I never thought possible before. I am honored to be the first to do a review for Carolyn's debut book, I know when everyone else finds out about this book you will all go nuts for it and I can see it being a huge hit. I know you will all love it as much as I did, Enjoy!!!!
So once I brought the book into the house I was able to get comfortable and submerge myself into this wonderful book. The story draws you right in from the first chapter and holds you there and doesn't let go until the very last page, and the cliffhanger at the end will surely leave you saying WTH really that's it, and the feeling you just can't wait for the second in the series. I absolutely love the cast of characters Carolyn has created, each of the teens I fell totally in love with, please don't ask me to pick a favorite because I just can't I love them all, they each have a quality you just can't help liking each of them, The Royals from Arazi Crossing are so sweet but I was sad knowing they are dying off one by one, another cast of characters you will fall in love with, but then there are the teens luminaries, their trainers, the ones who have been watching over them all their lives until it was time to reveal to them their true calling and purpose. Each teens luminaries fit perfectly with them.
I enjoyed how Carolyn gives us a background story on each teen and we get to travel the world to where they live and their families and what is special about each of them. Carolyn's description of their surroundings, families, friends, and what part of the world they are from makes you feel like your right there with them, her details of them traveling to Arazi Crossing and once there in that world, it's like I was there I could see what she was describing, and once Quinn started his quest I felt I was on that quest with all of them.
This was one incredible book from beginning to end, the plot was well planned out, the story was well executed, the characters all of them fit perfectly. I have another author and good friend of mine Patti Roberts you probably remember her books Paradox-The Angels are Here, and when I started reading Carolyn's book it reminded me of Patti's books and the way she brought us into a world I never thought possible before. I am honored to be the first to do a review for Carolyn's debut book, I know when everyone else finds out about this book you will all go nuts for it and I can see it being a huge hit. I know you will all love it as much as I did, Enjoy!!!!
August 9, 2021
Amazing series..Amazing Author..this series will definitely keep you wanting more.
August 9, 2021
Entertaining YA book! Interesting characters and lots of twists and turns. Enjoyable!
January 9, 2014
Book Review
Evolution (Arazi Crossing, Book 1)
By Carolyn Hockley
Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Evolution is Canadian author Carolyn Hockley's first novel. It is the first book in the Arazi Crossing young adult action/adventure series. In the storyline, five teenagers from various parts of the world are recruited to become immortal, powerful sorcerers to fight Evil for the greater good of mankind. Once these youngsters have proved themselves by each passing a quest and have "evolved", they will be known as new Arazi Royals. But as the teens begin their quests, the current Arazi Royals are fading faster than expected and Evil sees a window of opportunity.
I was simply mesmerized by the author's skilful writing right from the beginning. The first few chapters are dedicated to detailing the main characters, their family, friends and homeland and these chapters are impeccable. Hockley does a remarkable job at bringing so many characters and settings to life. The book grasps the reader's attention and never lets it go. Follow Quinn, Juina, Maya, April and Janus as their lives change dramatically.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this read from start to end, I don't believe it is for everyone. I cannot recommend it for anyone looking for a nice, light read. The plot is a tad convoluted and the story features a large amount of characters and several very different settings. It's also not your typical young adult fantasy.
But for those of you who appreciate the art of writing and are able to immerse themselves in a fictional world, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Evolution (Arazi Crossing, Book 1)
By Carolyn Hockley
Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Evolution is Canadian author Carolyn Hockley's first novel. It is the first book in the Arazi Crossing young adult action/adventure series. In the storyline, five teenagers from various parts of the world are recruited to become immortal, powerful sorcerers to fight Evil for the greater good of mankind. Once these youngsters have proved themselves by each passing a quest and have "evolved", they will be known as new Arazi Royals. But as the teens begin their quests, the current Arazi Royals are fading faster than expected and Evil sees a window of opportunity.
I was simply mesmerized by the author's skilful writing right from the beginning. The first few chapters are dedicated to detailing the main characters, their family, friends and homeland and these chapters are impeccable. Hockley does a remarkable job at bringing so many characters and settings to life. The book grasps the reader's attention and never lets it go. Follow Quinn, Juina, Maya, April and Janus as their lives change dramatically.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this read from start to end, I don't believe it is for everyone. I cannot recommend it for anyone looking for a nice, light read. The plot is a tad convoluted and the story features a large amount of characters and several very different settings. It's also not your typical young adult fantasy.
But for those of you who appreciate the art of writing and are able to immerse themselves in a fictional world, I cannot recommend this book enough.
April 26, 2014
Actual rating 3.5
This was a decent story if rough around the edges. I like the concept and the story itself if pretty well executed. The writing could use some work, especially with awkward tense shifts, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, but most of the time I could overlook that for the story. There were typos too but I was reading an ARC so hopefully those got fixed.
There were a few historical inaccuracies (like a mention of "photographs" decorating a 14th C Scottish inn) but overall I think the historical part of it was well done and I look forward to reading the rest of the series since I don't know as much about African, Asian and South American history as I do British.
This was a decent story if rough around the edges. I like the concept and the story itself if pretty well executed. The writing could use some work, especially with awkward tense shifts, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, but most of the time I could overlook that for the story. There were typos too but I was reading an ARC so hopefully those got fixed.
There were a few historical inaccuracies (like a mention of "photographs" decorating a 14th C Scottish inn) but overall I think the historical part of it was well done and I look forward to reading the rest of the series since I don't know as much about African, Asian and South American history as I do British.
July 22, 2014
Despite some typos and editing problems, this was a fun book! It starts slowly as the characters are being introduced, but picks up once everyone goes to Arazi Crossing. Quinn's quest itself was well-written and kept my interest. The overarching plot has a lot of potential, so I will get book two when the ebook is out. :)
August 19, 2021
Love these characters and how they develop!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews